Our Top Picks for a Kitchen Backsplash

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Whether remodeling or building, we all know a kitchen is where it’s at. It is probably one of or could even be the most important room of the home. It’s even been proven that a kitchen can make or break the sale of a home.

So, it is very important as we are designing the finishes in a kitchen, to make them beautiful. But don’t forget about functionality, which is equally as important. A kitchen backsplash is one of the design finishes you will not want to leave out that adds both visual appeal and serves a purpose.

A backsplash will protect your walls and make it easier to keep clean. It will catch food and liquid that would normally end up on your walls. Obviously, a backsplash is needed if you plan on doing lots of cooking in your kitchen. Here are a few of our top picks when it comes to choosing a kitchen backsplash.

Solid Full Height

One of our absolute favorite backsplashes is one that is full height using the same material as the countertops. This creates a seamless natural flow. You can do this across the full width of the wall or just above the range. We chose to do the latter in our new kitchen.

If you go this route, I would suggest using something that is very aesthetically pleasing but not too busy visually. I like natural stone or quartz that has long sweeping veins. Keep in mind that a full height backsplash will be a focal point of your kitchen. So it needs to look amazing!

We chose quartz for our countertops and backsplash. As you know, we are obsessed with quartz because not only is it beautiful, but it is so extremely durable! We went with Statuario Maximus from Caesar Stone. It is a marble inspired design featuring long grey veins across its white base color.

This particular quartz made a beautiful accent piece behind our range. Using quartz for our backsplash continued the flow from our countertop up the wall. This also added a modern element to our kitchen.

Subway Tile

We love subway tile! If there is any tile that has a chance of being timeless, it is it. In our new kitchen, we wanted to mix things up a bit. So in the butler’s pantry, we decided to go with a 3×6″ subway tile with pearl gray grout. Combined with the dark lower cabinet and stained open shelving, this created a classic look.

But there are tons of subway tile options available. So you are not limited to the standard white. There are natural stone subway tiles like marble if you are wanting to create a traditional vibe. And there are handmade subway tiles, that can add a touch of rustic into your backsplash.

Shiplap

Using shiplap is also a great idea for a kitchen backsplash. It has somewhat of a cottage or farmhouse feel that is very cozy. Shiplap breaks up the space between the countertops and cabinetry. I do love the look of white shiplap in the kitchen, and you can run it the standard horizontal direction or go vertical.

If you are worried about using wood in the kitchen, another look-alike route would be to use James Hardie planks and add a gap between each. This will give you the same look as shiplap but is water and fire resistant because it is made of cement fiber.

This is what Melissa Michaels of the Inspired Room did in her kitchen and it looks amazing!

Textured Handmade Tile

Another amazing look for a backsplash is using handmade textured tiles. This is actually something we are thinking about adding to our current kitchen. This is an alternative to subway tile that adds in more texture and rustic feel. It is a great way to add warmth to an all white kitchen or a kitchen that needs a little more cozy.

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